“You must be incredibly frustrated. Having source after source of potential funding denied. The charity foundation, the options suggested by the transplant coordinator. I’m certain the Spadas would be willing to help you, but the timing of the issues the don has run into is so inconvenient, don’t you think?”
I look up, my eyes meeting his, and suddenly, my stomach drops thirty-plus floors.
“You,” I whisper. “You orchestrated all that.”
“I did.”
A new wave of tears bursts from my eyes. “Why?” I cry. “Why would you do such a thing? I haven’t told a soul about what I witnessed. I never will.”
“People always act to benefit themselves, Little Iris. I need more than a spoken promise. I need a guarantee.”
“A guarantee?”
Rage, stronger than anything I’ve ever felt, surges in me. Leaping from the chair, I grab the lapels of his fine suit jacket.
“How dare you! How dare you play with people’s lives like this!” I scream, tugging on the garment. “Blocking my mother’s chances to be added to the transplant list? What kind of a person does that?” As if I’ve totally lost control of my own limbs, my hands flail in front of his face hysterically. “She needsthat transplant! I’ll say whatever you want me to say! I’ll do anything!”
“Would you?” His huge hand wraps around my wrist as he bends down, close enough for his breath to fan my ear. “Do whatever it takes to save your mother’s life?”
“Yes!”
“Alright.” He releases me, then skirts around the desk and sits down on the sofa near the bar cabinet. His head tilts to the side as he simply watches me. Is he really coming up with outrageous things he wants me to do? I don’t care. I’ll do anything he asks.
“Marry me.”
My mouth falls open.
“What?”
“The investigation might take an unexpected turn. At some point, the prosecution may want your testimony. And as you know, spouses can’t be compelled to testify against each other.”
I stare at him in complete shock, incapable of processing what he said.
“Your mother’s health is a runaway train. She needs that transplant, and she needs it now. Agree, and your financial situation is no longer an issue. I’ll take care of all the medical bills. And, with a donor found, Mrs. Fabbri will undergo transplant surgery immediately. Today.”
Today.
The word rings in my head like a blaring siren. Even if Mom does get on the list, without the funds, the hospital would never agree to operate. We’d never be able to afford the pre- or post-transplant care. I could seek other financial help, beg for a loanfrom someone else, but that could take days, weeks, years. We’d lose the donor.
Today.
Dr. Reynolds pointed out that time is of the essence. Every day, every minute is a risk. There’s no way to tell when Mom may suffer another heart attack. I could lose her tomorrow.
Or I can save her today.
Today.
If I accept Ruffo’s insane offer.
I turn to face the monster who is playing with my mother’s life because of his stupid whims. The lack of any emotion in his icy gaze is so obvious that it sends a shiver down my spine. He doesn’t care if my mother dies. Not if it happens because of his schemes or if it simply happens. He probably doesn’t care about anyone other than himself.
A monster.
He is a monster, and he wants me to marry him. How did I ever believe him to be kind?
Not that it matters now. To give my mom a chance to live, I’d tie myself to a three-headed dragon for eternity.
“I agree,” I rasp.
